Trouble-indicating system



TROUBLE INDX CATNG- SYSTEM @riginal Filed Nov,

Mam 8 9 L L. M.

TROUBLE INDICATING SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 25, 1924 6 Sheetsheet 5 f' T70 a/fv'ffame wwwa/ar TROUBLE INDl CATING SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 25, 1924 6 SheetSSheet 6 lietented lllsr. ad, EQ2?.

LOUIS M. ITTS, TENAFLY, REW JERSEY, ASSG-NR TO WSTERN ELECTRIC CGIE- PANY, INGORRATED, F NEW YRK, N. Y., .L CGBEGRATEGE F lt" YORK.

TROUliE-XNDICTING SYSTEM.

Implication l'ilel November 25, i924, Serial No. 752080, Renew/cel enudry 3, 23W.

This invention relates to telephone exchange systems and more particularly it pertains to recording apparatus especially adapted to telephone exchange systems employing,` automatic switching .apparatus tor establishment of conversational connections.

l'n establishing conversational connections automatically, the apparatus employed tor this purpose oftentimes encounters trouble which not only delays the establishment of the desired connection, but :also not infrequently requires the close inspection of all apparatus involved in a certain connection in order to determinethe cause und source of the trouble. In the cose of the coordinate machine switching system these difliculties are eren more complex for in such systems :i large number ot devices performing the sume functions are employed, only one for euch purpose, however, being selected for the establishment of e connection between a collinef und a culled party. lt has been found, therefore, that the service rendered by such equipment may be materially cnhunced by providing,r uppurutus responsive in cuse trouble is encountered for indicuting` und 'recording information concerning the purticulur apparatus involved in estublis-hin;r u connection und the point of progress mede by the cell when troulble occurred. The prineipul ob.. t o1 the invention is to record information in u simple, eiiicient und reliable manner immeciutely when trouble is encountered in the establishment of a conversational connection ctmcerninglr the upporutus involved in the connection und the point to which the cull progressed When trouble occurred. A teuture ot the invention relates to :i recording` mechanism which is adapted to be operatively associated with the switch in u mechanism when any port ot the mechenisni encounters trouble und which responds in uccorduncc with the mechanism involved. in u connection for recording in ditlerent columnar spaces symbols designating' the particular apparatus employedin attempting to establish the connection and the point of progress inode by the cull when trouble was encountered.

This invention is in the nature of an improvcment ou the system shown and described in patent to il". W. Carpenter No.

1,594,003, July 2.7, 1926, and e general reference is hereby inode to that oppli ut-ion 1for en understendingof the manner in which the mechanisms of the present system are arranged, und the details of operation Whenever such urrangements and details are hereinafter mentioned but are not particularly `illustruted or described. For the purpose of this case it hes been considered sutiicient to si. u" only such part oit the apparatus or mechanism es is neces sary for u clear understanding! of the present invention and to conline 'the detailed description to apparatus involved in the recording: oi' information from which the nature und source or" the trouble con be easily ascertained in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. l end 2 when tulren together end tor enel with Figi. i2 arranged on the ri ght of Fig. l shows the general location ot' the zippartus for e complete system to which the invention is purticulurly adopted. 3 to 6, when arranged in the manner illustrated in Fig. S disclose circuits and uppurutus involved in .imlicuting und recording the nature and Gener/,LZ description of the system md (apparatus.

Referring non' tor the moment to Figs. l und 2. descriptions will be ,friveu ot' the generul plun ot' the 3cm. The lines 100 enter the ollice and terminate in :i number of line switches, Such as switch 101. Outgoing from these switches ure e number of trunks which extends to district selector switches. For certain reasons it is desirable that the district selector switches be divided into e number of groups, two of which ,groups 106 and 107 are illustrative. The group 106 comprises s number of district selector.

switches, two of which 108 and 109, are

shown and trunks such as trunks 10st and 105 leading from the line switches are distributed among these district selector switches. AIn like manner the trunks 102 and 103 extend to the district 'selector switches 110 and 111 of the second group 107. It is, of course, obvious that other similar groups may be provided.

The trunks outgoing from the district selector' switches lead in different directions.

For example, some of the trunks 123v and 125 l 124, extend to incoming switchcslocated in the same cent-ral office.

These incoming switches are similarly d1- vided into two groups, group 200compr1sing switches 202 and 203 and the group 201 i comprising the switches 204 and 205.

The trunks outgoing from the incoming switches, suchas trunks 212 and 213 lead to the various connector switches of the several groups. Only one group oLt' connector switches 214, which includes the switches .215 and `210, is illustrated in the drawing. the connector switches have access to. the called lines as 217 and 218.

The trunks which lead from the line switch to the district selectors also appear in the sender selector' switches 112, which operate to extend these trunks to the register senders. Two ot' these senders 113 and 11i are shown. The sender connector may comprise a plurality oi sections 115, 110, etc. which' serve to connect the senders to the outgoing markers 117 and 118. While only two of the markers are illustrated any suitable number may be provided for handling the vrequired traliic.

In order to connect the markers to the district frames there are provided a number 'of frame connectors, one for cach group of district selector frames. Frame connector 119, for instance, serves to connect any of the markers to any ot' the frames in the selective group 10G, while frame connector 120 serves to connect arv ot' the markers to any of the frames in the district selector groupA 107.

The outgoing markers are connected to the trunks outgoing from the district selector switches byqmeans of district trunk lcon Inectors`12l and 133, etc.

Likewise, frame connectors 129 and 130 are provided for associating the outgoing markers, respectively, with the oice 'selector switchesgo the twp corresponding groups,

incoming markers are associable with frame l connectors 206 and 207, respectively, with the groups of incoming selector frames 200 and 201.

A number of final translators 219 and 220 are provided. There may be any number of t-hese'translators depending on the number of calledfsubscribers lines, there being one pertaining exclusively to a diferent portion of the subscribers lines. Any of the final translators may be associated with the incoming `nia'rkers Theliinal translator 219, for example, is arranged `tol make connection with any of the final connector switches of the group 214 and serves to control any of these switches to make a connection to the called subscribers lines. In a similar manner the final translator 220 is associable with the connector switches ot' a diierent group and governs the same tol extend connections to other called subscribers lines. l y,

A trouble indicator 150 is provided in commonto alloutgoing markers 117 and 118, etc. andmay be associated with any of the markers in case of trouble, Connectable with the trouble indicator 150 is recorder 151, which responds to the operation of the trouble indicator 150 torecord the informa tion givenby the trouble indicator toprovide a permanent record of the nature and source of the trouble. Similarly, al trouble. indicator 250 is provided for theincoming markers 210 and 211. Likewise, a recorder 251 is associable with the trouble indicator 250 for recording` the nature and source ot trouble encountered through the operation of the incoming markers 2.10 and 211, in a manner similarto that described in connection with the trouble indicator 150.

Referring now 'to Figs. 1 and 2 a more detailed explanation will be given of the general .arrangement ot the switches and control mechanism and the apparatus 1n-v volved in the establishment of a desired conversational connection. subscriber of line 100 desires to holda conversation with a subscriber of line 217 located in the same oiiice. Assume further that the code of the otlice designation of the local ottice is represented by a certain abbreviation which in terms of dial impulses is repre- Assume that the sented by three digits. Assume also that thenulnerical designation of line'217 'is represented by certain other digits.- f

The calling subscriber u on removing his receiver from the switch ook causes the operation ot line switch 101, thereby extending the line 100 to au idle trunk 104. The initiation of the call also causes the operation of the sender selector 112 to select an idle sender such-as 113 and.114.

The calling subscriber now operates his dial to send the series ofimpulses representing the ollice code which are recorded on the otlice registers 'immediately followed by thc impulses representing the digits of the called subscribers line. The designations of thc ollice and the called for subscribei"sline represented by the operationof the calling dial are transferred, for example, to sender 113. Following this operationthe sender connector 115 is operated forassociating this sender with any one of a plurality of out-v going markers, such as 117 and 1-18. Following the operation ofthe outgoingmarker and the transfer of the designations thereto, one of the district franie connectors 119` or 120 isseleeted for extending the connection to the'district frame 108. Inasmuc'h asvlinc 100 was extended to the district frame 108 upon the initiation of the callby the subscriber, the connection lis nowextended over line 122 to the incoming frame 200.

The next step in the establishment of the connection is to connect thesender through the sender connector 208 to an idle-incoming marker for controllingthe selective operation of `the incoming selectorswitches and tra the complete care of the desired connection. Before this operation, however, theoutgoing marker has been released vand is in readiness for use in the establishment of other desired connection. The designations recorded on the sender are now transferred to the selected incoming marker, for example 210. in turn causing the operation of the incoming frame connectors and the'selection of the proper one of thetinal translators which serves the group ofvcalled linesv containing the line wanted for this particular call. When the incoming marker is connected to the final translator the connector trames respond to the operation of the final translator for operating the vertical roW of contacts associated with the line 217 extendingl to the called for subscriber. Following this operation t'he .horizontal row of contacts in the incoming and connecting frames-are operated for establishing` the connection through from the calling subscriber to the called subscriber and in turn releasing any mechanism which is not required during the conversational period.

.-l'n outgoing 'marker eli-counters trouble.

the incoming marker funotionedenormally and, therefore, completed their cont-'rol over the associated mechanism Within the predeterniinedl interval of time allotted for this purpose. The markers may, however, und

it impossible to complete a connection due either to a fault Within the marker itself or to a fault within the frames, frame or trunk eonnecans in the Wiring involved in the progress of establishing a connection. In order to illustrate the manner in which the trouble indicator shown in Figs. 5 and 6 75 operates, it will next be assumed that the outgoing marker encounters trouble at any one ot' several of its-Adiferent stages of operation.. For this purpose it may be assumed that the connectionbeing established shown in F ig. 3, which counts `an interval` of ytiine sutlicient for the marker, if functioning normally, to control the district and office selector switches and to release in the regular. manner. The time measuring device includes a series of counting relays 300, which operate successively under the control of the constantly driven interrupter 309. These relays apply ground potential at definite intervals ot time to the various conductors leading to the distributing traine 307. By strapping conductor`319 to various ones of these vconductors the time interval measured may-be adjusted, as desired.

As soon following the operation of relay 450 as lthe interruptcr309 closes, relay 302 105 is operated in a circuit from ground through interrupter 309, conductor 320, outer let't Contact of relay 450, conductorl 330, right Contact of relay 308,`conductor 321, right contact of relay 301 and winding' of relay 110 `302 to battery. Relay 302 operates and pre pares a circuit from battery, through its winding, left Winding of relay 301, contact of relay 302, back contact of relay 304, back Contact of relay 306, conductor 322,' and 115 thence'to ground at the right front contact of relay 450. lVhen the interrupter 309 Iopens its contacts, its shunt is removed and rclay 301-opcrates in series with relay 302.

0n tliencxt closure. of the interrupter 120 grounded conductor 321 is extended i through the right front contact ot' relay 301, right back contact ot relay 303, winding of relay 304 to battery. Relay 304 opcrates and opens the circuit 'for relay 302, 125

traced through its right winding and relay 302 releases. Relay 304: prepares a lockingy circuit through its own Winding and lett winding of ,relay.303, front Contact of relay 304,'thence to the grounded conductor 322, 130

450 operates as described in, S5

y to the Winding of relay302.

operation ot thev connecting device 400 fory On the next closure ot the interruptery grounded conductor 321 is again extended This relay operates and prepares the circuit for relay 301, Which'oper'ates the next time the interrupter opens. On the next closure of the interrupter the grounded conductor 321 is extended through the right front contacts of relays 301 and 303 and the right back contact of relay 305 to the winding of relay 306. The operation of relay 306 opensthe holding circuit of relays 302 and 304,' which thereupon release. Following this operation the interruptor opens and releases relays 301 and 303 and permits relay 305 to operate in series with relay '306. Thus, the countingv relays 300 are associated in dierent combinations under the control of the interrupter 309. From inspection it will be Jfound that grounded potential is placed on the various conductors leading to the distributor trame 307 at succeeding and definite intervals ot time. lVith the distributiug trame cross-connected as illustrated, relay 308 is operated asI soon as the counting relays 301,303 and 305 are operated. The circ-uit for relay 308 may be traced from battery.` through its winding, conductor 310, distributing' frame 307, middlefront contact oi relay 301, 303 and 305, to the grounded conductor 322.

lt ythe marker encounters trouble relay 450 being operated, the interval of time is counted and relay 311 becomes energized in a circuit from batery through the winding ot relay 311, inner right contact of relay310, right normal contact of slow-release relay 314, conductor 323, left contact of relay 308 to grounded conductor 322. Relay 311 operates slow-release relay 312 which in turn operates the slow-release relay 313, which thereby operates the slow-release relay 314.

`When relay! 313 operates, it initiates the the purpose of connecting the marker to the trouble indicator. The ,peg count register magnet 316 also operates the register to record ot occurrence of the trouble.

lncase the marker had progressed to a point where it was associated either with the district or office switchesthe operation of certain relays as described in Patent No'. 1.501.003, issued July 27, 1026, referred above. would bring about the lease in the manner explained in the referred to application. The releaseI of the marker would in turn cause the release of the opL eratinglrelays of the time measuring device.

During the time the trouble indicator is associated With the marker certain of the relays 501 to 536, inclusive, are operated to record certain infomation regarding the Y apparatus involved and the point of progress which has been made up to the time when` trouble was encountered. The manner of et'- fecting the connection of the indicator relays with the marker. is fully described hereinafter. Relay 501 is operated inaI circuit extending through the selectedA marker to the sender. Since relay 501 is individual to the particular sender illustrated, the indicator operates to record the fact that this particular sender is the one involved in the establishment of the present connection. Had another sender, such as the sender represented by another' relay, been the one ,concerned relay 502in'the indicator would have been operated. Relay 501 immediately locks through its right contact, over conductor 542 to ground, through key 580, condujctor 685, armature and contact of relay 68 v The operation of relay 501 in addition to completing a-circuit for causing the illumination of lamp 546 4and lthe' establish.- ment of its own locking circuit4 also conditions an energizing circuit for one of a series of code relays 600. These code relays function to cause the energization of the .selecting magnets 601'to 605 of a receiving permanent record of the trouble encountered ma be made. The rinter is soarran ed,

that the symbols'designating the various mechanisms employed in the establishment of a conversational connection as determined by the particularcode relays operated appear in different columns. rlhis particular arrangement makes is possible for an attendant to quickly ascertain by merely glancin at the record sheet the apparatusmvolve in a particularv connection and the point of progress made by thecall When'trouble Was encountered.,

A receiving printer especially adapted for the purpose of recording the information relative tothe occurrence o'ftrouble is shown and described in pending application to Harry Pfannenstiehl, SerialgNo. 397,903, tiled July 21, 1920. Inasmuch as the printer mechanism per se does not form a part of the present invention only so much ot the mechanismY as ,isnecessary for a clear and concise understanding of the invention has been illustrated. A general reference to the Harry Pfannenstiehl application is hereby made, Jfor an understanding of the manner in lwhich the various parts of the present system so far as thev printer mechanism and circuits are' concerned operate andthe details of operation whenever such arrangements and details are hereinafter mentioned but are not particularly' illustrated v'ortie-H scribed.

The receiving printer illustrated comprises the usual selecting magnets 601 to A 605,

aeeoee These selecting magnets operate irl-various combinations in accordance with the energization ot` the code relays G00 and serve to select in various combinations the associated permutation bars through the medium of Which one of a plurality of type bars 610 is selected for operation. The printing ot the character in accor/,lance with the selected type bar is effected through the operation of power operated means, which supplies the necessary energy to throw the type bar into contact with the paper. As described in the Harry Pfannenstiehl application referred to above, the type bars 610 are arranged in a movable basket or carriage 611. The carriage 611, together 'with the type bars 610, is moved relatively to the platen (not shown) through the rotation of a shaft (313. Secured to the carriage with and slidable along the shaft 613 is a Worm gear 614. rhis gear 614 engages the teeth in a raelr S15.

As is the customary practice in receiving printers of this general type the carriage 611 is returned under the action ot' a retractile spring. When it is desired to restore the carriage to its left hand position the rack 615 is shifted so as to cause the disengagement of the teeth formed therein with the teeth in the Worm gear 014. Also mounted on the shaft 613 is a ratchet wheel 620 which is engaged by a pawl 621 operatively connected with an eccentric 623. The eccentric 623 is mounted on a shaft 624 to which power is communicated from a rotating motor 625 through a friction clutch G26. The eccentric 623 is arranged with respect, to the shaft 624 such that for each rotation of this shaft the pawl 621 is operated for causing the rotation of the ratchet wheel 62?, through a distance equal to the space ot' one tooth. ln other Words, the stepping ofthe ratchet wheel 620 causes a corresponding movement ot' the type carriage 611.

Also secured to the shaft (S2/l is a stop arm 030 normally in ongageu'iout with release latch or stop G31. TWhen it desired to release the shaft G24 tor performing the printing and other necessary operations magnet 0353 energized for causing the movement of the toggle joint and in consequence the moven'ient of the stop 331 out of the path of the arm (S30. '.lhere is also mounted on the shaft G24 a can; (334 whicli closes contacts G35 once for each rotation." The function of these contacts will be described hereinafter.

Mounted on the carriage G11 is a brush arin (S40. This brush arui carries three equally spaced brushes 041, G42 and (343. The first two of these brushes arc arranged to engage the segments of segmented rings 045 and 646, vvhile the latter brush engages the continuous ring 647.

611 and rotatable` lturn releasing relay The segments of the rings 645 and 646 are with the exception of certain ones of the segments connected to circuits extending to the front contacts ot` indicating relays 500.

The operation of the code relays 600 is de'- pendent upon the operation of the indicator relays 500 and the position of the brush arin 640.

ln the case of another trouble relay 512 is operated in a circuit from battery, through its let't winding, thence through the contacts ot relays 401 individual to the particular marker that is in trouble. To this end relay 403 individual to the marker is operated in ci rcuit from battery, through the right front contact or' relay 313, right contact of relay 314, key B24, conductor 325, upper winding of relay 402-3, right contact 0i relay 405, lower Contact ot relay 404 to ground. Relay 403 locks through its lower winding and front contact, Winding of relay 404 to ground which establishes an operating circuit lfor relay 404. The operation otrelay 403 causes the operation of the multi-contact relay 401 in a, circuit traceable from battery, through the winding ot' relay 401, upper contact of relay 403 to ground at the upper contact of relay 404. Relay 401 operates and connects the various leads Afrom the trouble indicator shown in Fig. 5, through to the marker.

'When relay 314 operates it opens the circuit of relay 311, which relay releases, in

312, which likewise releases relay 313, thereby releasing relay 314. Relays 312, lll and `314, being sloiv to release, provide an appreciable interval of time for the apparatus to function. As soon as relay 3K3 releases, it removes battery from condutctor 325, causing the release ot relay 401 and the disconnection of the trouble indicator from the marker.

Upon the release ot' relay 313 and While relay 314 is still operated, relay 810 is operated in a circuit from. battery through its Wil'uling` lett contacts of relay 314 and 313 to ground. Relay Ill() iuunediately locks tl'irough its inner-,left contacts, left contact of relay 308. to conductor 322. Relay 2310 opens the circuit otl relay 311 to prevent a repetition of the operation. Relay 310 at its outer lett contact closes a circuit to relay 317 and ground. Since relay 401 is individual to the particular marker which has encountered trouble, the operation of relay 512 records the identity of this particular marker. Had another marker been involved, such as the inarlrer represented by relays 402, then relay I)l1 would have been operated. Relay 512 locks to the conductor 542.

Thus, it will be seen that the trouble indicator shown in Fig. 5 may be associatedv with any one of the several markers i'n re-r sponse to the time measuring device associated with the marker, provided such marker has encountered trouble at any of the various stages of its operation, dependent upon the particular point at which the,trouble tracing of the troublemore minutely to the exact point oi' its occurrence.

Inasmuch as the trouble indicator isA common, as shown in Fig. 1, to all the outgoing markers, it may happen that at the time the particular marker finds trouble and attempt."l to appropriate the indicator, said indicator isv already engagedv in a connection with another marker. The circuits are so ranged, however, that the connection of the indicator to the marker is prevented when trouble occurs land the marker is released for service and the record of the occurrence of trouble therein is lost. The details of tliis particular part of the mechanism have been described quite iully in the applications ieferred to above.

Selecting magnets 601, 602, 604 and 605 are operated over a circuit extending from grounded battery winding of thefselectingv magnets, armatures and contacts of relay,

650, conductor 607`and the middle contact and armature of relay 404 to ground. The selecting magnets 601, 602, 604 and 605 being energized, the permutation bars of the printer are selected to cause the printer to e shifted from the lower case to thenpper case, or the position for printing numerals or other special characters. Simultaneously With the operation ot the permutation bars contact 651 is closed, whereupon the ener* gizing circuit for start [magnet 633 is completed. Shortly after relay 404 operates relay 650 operates over a circuit from grounded battery, winding of relay 650, conductor 607, and middle contact and `armature of relay 404 toground. Relay 650 in energizing opens the energizing circuit for the selecting magnets 601, 602, 604 and 605, which Acaused the positioning of the selecting mechanism to effect the shift operation, and also vcompletes anl energizing circuit for the circuit breaker 627. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery, winding of circuit breaker 627, conductor 628, Iniddle armatureand contact of relay 650, extreme left hand armature and contact of relay 680 and conductor 607 to ground at the armature of relay 404. The circuit breaker 627 is energized for connecting the power circuit with the motorv 625, which isthere- 'upon caused to rotate and accordingly supply power to the shaft 624, through the friction clutch 626. It should be noted that relay 650 is mamtained energized so long as relay 404 is operated, the release of which will not occur until the information pertaining to the apparatus involved-in the establishment ot the connection and the point of progress made by the call at the time trouble was encountered has been recorded-by the printer. Also, it is pointed out that the receiving printer described in the previously referred to applicationis constructed so` that'it. rei mains in the shifted position until the selecting magnets 601 to 605 are operated for performing the unshift operation.

The release magnet`633 having been energized upon the closure of contact 651 operates toggle joint 632 for releasing the arm 630 together with the shaft 624. The shaft 624 rotates and the eccentric 623 causes the advancement of the carriage 611 through the ratchet wheel 620 to position the brush 641 on to segment 654. Provided relay 511 is operated upon engagement ot the brush641 With segments 654, an energizing circuit is completed for code relay 655. traced. from grounded battery, conductor 656, extreme right hand contact and-armiA ture of relay 611, conductor 570 and 'se ment 654, brushes 641 and 643, ring 641 The circuit for thisreIay may be conductor 607 toV ground at the armature and contact of relay 404. Ifrelayy 511 is operated at this time code relay 655'is enel gized over the circuit just traced, causing the energization of selecting magnets 601, 602, 603 and 605 in a Amanner suclras to cause the printer to record the numeral 1 in' column Number 1. This particular record indicates that since column Number 1 is allotted to the markers the attempted con' nection involved marker Number 1. Should marker Number 2 have been involved in the connection, code relay 658 would be ener gized upon the engagement of the brush '641 with the segment 654 and accordingly numeral 2 would be recorded in the. proper column. j

Now as the carriage 611 is ladvanced step by step from left to right, the brushes ',641

les

and 642 sucessively connect the associated i segments 660, 662, 663, 664 and 665 With the continuous ring 647, whereupon the code relays 600v are ener izedin accordance with -12-0 the relays lot" theV indicatbrush 641 with segment 666 an energizing y circuit is'establis'hed for relayv667 over a clrcuit extending from grounded battery,

Winding ot relay 667, conductor 66S, seg- I ment 666, brush 641, brush 643, ring 647," conductor 657, conductor 607 to ground at assunse the contact and armature of relay 404. Relay 667 closes through its contact circuits extending to the selecting magnet' 601 to 605. The selecting magnets are accordingly energized to cause the printer to assume the iinshifted position. From this point on the recording operation characters such as letters, as distinguished from numerals, are recorded in the several columns.

For'each rotation of the shaft- 624 the carriage 611 is advanced so that one or the other of the brushes 641 or 642 is in engagement with the segments inthe ring 645 and 646 for recording in the propei columns information coiicerning the switches involved and the point of progress made in the establishment of a connection. When the carriage 611 nears the completion of its travel segment 670 is engaged by brush 641, The bridging of this segment with continuous ring 647 through the respective brushes causes the energization of relay 673, over a circuit extending from grounded battery, Winding of relay 673, conductor 672, `segment 670, brushes 641 and 643, continuous ring 647, conductor 657, conductor 607 and the contact and armature of relay 404 to ground. Relay 673 in closing 'its contact causes vthe energization of selecting magnet 602, whereupon mechanism of the receiving printer is operated for causing the operation or'l the line feed mechanism to bring an unprinted area into printing position. In order to provide sutlicient space between :the

different lines of printing, segments 670 and 671 are connected together electrically so that a double spacing operation occurs through the engagement of the brushes 641 and 642 with the `respective segments of f the ring 645 and 646. Immediately following the engagement of the brush 642 with segincnt 671, brush 641 engages segment 677. This segment as well as the remaining segments of the ring 645 and 646 aieconnectcd to thc winding of relay 675, which is energized upon the engagement of one or the other ot' the brushes 641 and 642 with the respective segments. Relay in energizing closes the circuit including -selecting magnet 604. This particular selecting magnet serves to cause the disengagement of the rack 615 with the worm gear 614, whereupon the carriage 611 is returned to its left hand position, vThe purpose of having all the last segments in the ring 645 and 646 connected togethei electrically to the Winding of the relay 675, is to insure that the printer shall not get locked up by the brushes 641, 642 getting on a dead segment.

Relay 675 in energizing also causes the energiz'atioii of relay 678 over a circuit extending rom battery, Winding ot' relay 678,

right hand contact and armature of relay 675, back contact and armature of relay 679, contacts 635, which are closed once for each rotation of the cam 634, conductor 683, couductor 607 and the contact and armature of relay '404 to ground. Relay 67S opens the circuit of start magnet 633, so that shaft 624 comes to rest at the end of the revoluates to insure that shaft 624 shall always.

come to its normal position. 'Relay 678 is locked up over a circuitL including the winding of vrelay 679. Relay '679 conditions an energizing circuit for relay 680, the energizing circuit of which is completed upon the next closure of contacts 635. Relay 680 is also locked up through its own armature and Contact. This relay also opens the circuit of the circuit breaker 627, which rclease's and disconnects the power circuit from the motor 625. Extending from the Winding of relay 681, through the middle contact and armature of relay 680 to the iii-st segment in the ring 647 is a circuit for the relay 681, but which is not completed until the carriage 611 has returned to its left hand position. When in this position the circuit for relay 681 is completed for removing the ground extending to the indicator relays 500. Thus. anyo these relays which were previously operated would be released. The release of the relays may also he effected through the opening of a manual key 580. `With the carriage 611 in its left hand position'and the relays 500 deencrgized as Well as the multiplecontact relay 401 released, the apparatus is in readiness for connection with the 'saine or another marker inrolved in a later connection which has encountered trouble. y

It should .be noted that the back contacts of certain indicator relays are connected together electrically. Should any of the relays 500 tail to function properly code relay 684 will lie energized which completes through its contacts energizing circuits for selecting magnets 601, 602, 604 and 605. The energization of these selecting magnets with the printer in the upper case position causes the operation of the shift and a blank space in the record for that group of' relays thus indicating that the relay system 500 has operated incorrectly. In groups of relays not having such connections, a relay should operate for every iecord, and a failui'eof any 'code magnet to operate will be indicated by a bar corresponding to no code lll() lllf) lll) magnet operated to make a period on the recoi'd and thus indicate trouble.

.A sample record showing the apparatus involved in a connection and the point of progress made at the time trouble Wasencountered is illustrated in Fig. 7. The

.printing of the various designations appearing on the illustrated record will now be described.

Assume first that the sheet upon which ranged in the receiving printer in a manner to bring` the designated columns in their proper position so thatkthe record of the apparatus involved. in a given connection will appear infthe proper column. f In other Words, there is a column lallotted to each particular operation of the system which is apt to encounter trouble and which is arranged soxthat designations will appear in the proper columns, according to the progress of the call.v An examination of this sample record shows thatA column Number l allotted to the markers, column 2 tothe senders, column 3 to the district frame, etc. Luid with numeral designations in these columns or others andsymbolic designations representing the apparatus employedv in a given connection, the nature and source of the trouble canl be quickly ascertained. Also the permanent record of the occurrence of trouble makes it possible to compare the records of Aother failures to determine Whether it is the same apparatus causing trouble. i y y Now with the thus arranged record sheet properly inserted in the receiving printer, a record of any failures occurring in the oper` ation of the apparatus'will be automatically l recorded. Assume now for the purpose of illustration that a call is desiree to be completedy and the oiiice dialed is number 252 BLAclr andthat `trouble is encountered in attempting to establish the desired connection. A record of the apparatus involved will be recordedon the sheet in the columns designating therespective mechanisms.A In the record shown in Fig. 7 line l the translator 'check `circuit of marker Number 2y failed. This fact is detectedk by the absence of a designation'in a columnallotted to this' particular' operation for" the one labeled Horizontalgf From' this record it is seen that the connection involved marker Numlber 2, sender Number 1, district frame N umber 1. Since' thev failure occurred vin the operation of'the translator check circuit, no designation letter :1c appeared in the oliice frame column.' lThe designatibn indicates that all the apparatus up to andr including the relay designated atthe top of the column has functioned correctly. `''llhis fact is shown by the appearance fvall thev'code letters which shows that- -tlieselected office code relays of the Amarker Ifailed to release.

Record vNumber 2, shows that the marker Number' 2 failed to v'release when used in connection With sender-Number l on a call to 252 BLAck', whose trunks are located on adistrict frame Number 1. This particular trouble is indicated by the appearance of vnumerals `and the ms indicating that the conversational connection has been correctly set up, but the marker failed to release. The last three letters B D B in lineNumber 2 represents BLAck, the office code dialed in an arbitrary code. Had another marker or sender been involved in establishing the connection just described, other designations would appear inV thev vcolumnar spaces allotted yto these particular mechanisms. F or the sake ot' brevity a further detailed description of the manner in which thil 'various designationsare recorded will not be described here, since the operation was fully discussed in connection with the operation of the indicating mechanism 500 and fthe code relays 600.

Record Number 3 shows that -the marker Number l failed-to release when used in connection `with sende;` Number 2 to connect to an oihee whose trunks are located on a district frame, the numbered call beingl .ACAdemy 222. .A f

Record Number 4 shows that marker Number l failed to release, when used in connection ywith sender Number 2 to connect an otice Whose trunks are located on oice frame Number l. The number called is ENGleWood 364.

' The record Number is thesame, as record Number 4, except that sender Number 2 is used instead of sender Number 3. This record also indicatesl that the trouble lies in the marker Number 1 and not in any sender or connecting circuit. The dot in place of y the office frame designation indicates a condition of tlliouble in the printer circuit or in the circuit between the trouble indicator relays 500 and the marker. I

As the previous description was with reference to trouble encountered in the outgoing marker of the system,` had' the call progressed sutliciently far to involve an incoming marker, such as, for example, 21() of Fig. 2 and if the trouble occurred at this point in the connection trouble indicator 25() and recorder25l would bel associated in a manner similar to that described in Connection with trouble in the outgoing marker. The apparatus associated With the incoming markers is identical to that common to the outgoing markers. Therefore, a similar record would be made of trouble encountered in this particular' part of the system.

It will also be' obvious that the 'trouble indicating mechanism may serve in connection with the markers, Whether the call being handled is a. local one 'or one involving interllt) office trunks. For the purpose of brevityit is considered unnecessary to describe the operation incident to the establishment of an interoice connection and the occurrence of tifouble therein, but the functions of the FD? fil?) com m n palma,- cfermng the @mg- :El aus invowd in L mime@- r wsnding mecnzuusm l :apparateephfm@ sy the recm'mg clevlcel im' successlvely :15501 Si. L L .ius fm," wzamfng csnncconm a sw @Bing dating the different pax-S of said Control im: fcvez'nng t! 1 f s @nevica with said recordng dervce which rehis? a Cmo lavica? neans sponda wt lesord desigxmtons in dierent N said fic@ Wtfl saf nachm comms collcftrmng the progress and the M mmh im 'fas fo 'futactin appmmms @wif/*ad a connection.

omi le., and mmh S. The, P0'. 'en in t'eephone sysracer ummummr device ch operation o v with said volved a connection and the point of progress made at the time of failure.

10. he combination ina telephone exchange system of switching apparatus .for extendilng connections, a switch controllingY mechanism Vfor governing the operation of said apparatus,l a control device, means rcsponsive to the failure of said mechanism to function properly to. connect said control device to said mechanism, a recording' d cvice, means for supplying energy to said device, means operated immediately when said mechanism 4fails to for rendering said energy efectiva, means controlled by said recording device for associating it with said control device to record the apparatus involved in a connection and the point of progress made at the time of failure, and means responsive following the recording operation todiconnect the energy supplying means from said recording device.

11. The combination in a telephone system of selective switches for extending connections, a controlling mechanism associablc switches for governing their operation, a device including a plurality of relays operated in accordance with the various degrees of progress of the connection, Iswitching means for associating said relays with said mechanism upon the occurrence of trouble therein, a plurality of code relays controlled by said device for setting up predetermined circuits, mechanical 'means `for successively completing the circuits extending to said relays as determined by the relays of said device, and means operated by said code relays for producing ya permanent record of information giving the apparatus involved and the point yof progress made at the time trouble was encountered.

l2. The combination in a tem of selective switches for extending con-I nections, acontrolling mechanism associable/ with said switches for eration, a device including apluralityv of reiays operated in accordance with the various degrees of supplying means function properly telephone sysincense switching means for associating said relays Ivvith said mechanism upon the occurrence lof trouble therein, a 'controlled by sind switches, circuit connections controlled by said means, a recording mechanism having a movable carriage for recording informa' tion giving a designation of the switches involved in a connection, and means integral with said carriage for successively associatinnr ,groups of said circuit connections with the record in the same position.

14.. The combination lin a telephone sysratus, a control devlce, means for connectingl said device with said mechanism if said mechanism fails to function properly, a recording device comprising a selecting mechanism and a recordingr mechanism having a movable carriage, (nd means integral with said carriage for Controlling the association of said selecting"r mechanism with said conrecording of inforn witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe illy/name this 19th day of November, A. D., 192 y f LOUIS M. POTTS. 

